The Indian government is pushing the telecom operators to implement the CNAP (calling name presentation) feature, which rivals the core feature of Truecaller. For the unaware, CNAP is a feature that would allow users to see the caller's name on their phone, even if the number is not saved. This is what Truecaller does as well. While Truecaller does a lot more, this is the core feature for which people download Truecaller in the first place. Now, CNAP is being tested and deployed by the telcos in select circles.
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This would give users an excuse to delete the Truecaller platform from their phone. Why keep an extra application on the phone when its core feature is already fulfilled by the telcos by their network. The goal of the government is to reduce spam and protect the users. This could potentially hurt Truecaller's business in India. The caller identification platform has about 250 million users in the country.
The biggest thing CNAP does is that for new smartphone users, or users switching to a new device, now they no longer need Truecaller. CNAP is embedded in the telecom operator's network, requiring no download, installation or permissions. This makes CNAP more accessible and seamless for the users.
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Further, CNAP doesn't use crowdsourced data on names, instead it uses KYC-verified names which are present in the records of telecom operators. This reduces errors and protects users in the most real sense. This could potentially allow users to avoid saving phone numbers on their devices. CNAP looks like a gamechanger tech, and could put pressure on Truecaller's business in India.
What's worth noting here is that telcos have voiced concerns over the implementation of the technology as it could lead to increased call setup times. This could potentially put pressure on the older generation networks.
